(a)Asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite dust.Section 1910.1001 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite dust in every employment and place of employment covered by § 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on exposure to asbestos, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite dust which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of any of those sections.

(b)Vinyl chloride.Section 1910.1017 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to vinyl chloride in every employment and place of employment covered by §§ 1910.12, 1910.13, 1910.14, 1910.15, or 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on exposure to vinyl chloride which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of any of those sections.

(c)Acrylonitrile.Section 1910.1045 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to acrylonitrile in every employment and place of employment covered by §§ 1910.12, 1910.13, 1910.14, 1910.15, or § 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on exposure to acrylonitrile which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of any of those sections.

(d) [Reserved]

(e)Inorganic arsenic.Section 1910.1018 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to inorganic arsenic in every employment covered by §§ 1910.12, 1910.13, 1910.14, 1910.15, or § 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on exposure to inorganic arsenic which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of any of those sections.

(f) [Reserved]

(g)Lead.Section 1910.1025 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to lead in every employment and place of employment covered by §§ 1910.13, 1910.14, 1910.15, and 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on exposure to lead which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of those sections.

(h)Ethylene oxide.Section 1910.1047 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to ethylene oxide in every employment and place of employment covered by §§ 1910.12, 1910.13, 1910.14, 1910.15, or 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on exposure to ethylene oxide which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of those sections.

(i)4,4′-Methylenedianiline (MDA).Section 1910.1050 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to MDA in every employment and place of employment covered by §§ 1910.13, 1910.14, 1910.15, or 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on exposure to MDA which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of those sections.

(j)Formaldehyde.Section 1910.1048 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to formaldehyde in every employment and place of employment covered by § 1910.12, 1910.13, 1910.14, 1910.15 or 1910.16 in lieu of any different standard on exposure to formaldehyde which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of those sections.

(k)Cadmium.Section 1910.1027 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to cadmium in every employment and place of employment covered by § 1910.16 in lieu of any different standard on exposures to cadmium that would otherwise be applicable by virtue of those sections.

(l)1,3-Butadiene (BD).Section 1910.1051 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to BD in every employment and place of employment covered by §§ 1910.12, 1910.13, 1910.14, 1910.15, or 1910.16, in lieu of any different standard on exposure to BD which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of those sections.

(m)Methylene chloride (MC).Section 1910.1052 shall apply to the exposure of every employee to MC in every employment and place of employment covered by § 1910.16 in lieu of any different standard on exposure to MC which would otherwise be applicable by virtue of that section when it is not present in sealed, intact containers.

On April 11, 2014 (79 FR 20316), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published a final rule: Revising the general industry standards for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution work and for electrical protective equipment; revising the construction standard for electric power transmission and distribution work; and adopting a new construction standard for electrical protective equipment. The final rule updated those standards and made the general industry and construction standards consistent. This document corrects errors in the preamble and regulatory text of the final rule.

The direct final rule published on November 20, 2013 (78 FR 69543), became effective as a final rule on February 18, 2014. For the purposes of judicial review, OSHA considers April 18, 2014, the date of issuance of the final rule.

29 CFR Part 1910

Summary

On November 20, 2013, OSHA published in the Federal Register a direct final rule that revised records contained in the Mechanical Power Press Standard. OSHA stated in that document that it would withdraw the companion proposed rule and confirm the effective date of the final rule if the Agency received no significant adverse comments on the direct final rule or the proposal. Since OSHA received no such significant adverse comments on the direct final rule or the proposal, the Agency now confirms that the direct final rule became effective as a final rule on February 18, 2013.

The final rule becomes effective on July 10, 2014. (Certain provisions have compliance deadlines after this date as explained later in this preamble.)

29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926

Summary

OSHA last issued rules for the construction of transmission and distribution installations in 1972. Those provisions are now out of date and inconsistent with the more recently promulgated general industry standard covering the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment. OSHA is revising the construction standard to make it more consistent with the general industry standard and is making some revisions to both the construction and general industry requirements. The final rules for general industry and construction include new or revised provisions on host employers and contractors, training, job briefings, fall protection, insulation and working position of employees working on or near live parts, minimum approach distances, protection from electric arcs, deenergizing transmission and distribution lines and equipment, protective grounding, operating mechanical equipment near overhead power lines, and working in manholes and vaults. The revised standards will ensure that employers, when appropriate, must meet consistent requirements for work performed under the construction and general industry standards. The final rule also revises the general industry and construction standards for electrical protective equipment. The existing construction standard for the design of electrical protective equipment, which applies only to electric power transmission and distribution work, adopts several national consensus standards by reference. The new standard for electrical protective equipment, which matches the corresponding general industry standard, applies to all construction work and replaces the incorporation of out-of-date consensus standards with a set of performance-oriented requirements that is consistent with the latest revisions of the relevant consensus standards. The final construction rule also includes new requirements for the safe use and care of electrical protective equipment to complement the equipment design provisions. Both the general industry and construction standards for electrical protective equipment will include new requirements for equipment made of materials other than rubber. OSHA is also revising the general industry standard for foot protection. This standard applies to employers performing work on electric power generation, transmission, and distribution installations, as well as employers in other industries. The final rule removes the requirement for employees to wear protective footwear as protection against electric shock.

2013-11-20; vol. 78 # 224 - Wednesday, November 20, 2013

78 FR 69543 - Record Requirements in the Mechanical Power Presses Standard

This direct final rule will become effective on February 18, 2014 unless OSHA receives a significant adverse comment on this direct final rule or on the companion proposal by December 20, 2013. If OSHA receives adverse comment, it will publish a timely withdrawal of the direct final rule in the Federal Register . Submit comments on this direct final rule (including comments to the information-collection (paperwork) determination (described under the section titled “Procedural Determinations”), hearing requests, and other information by December 20, 2013. All submissions must bear a postmark or provide other evidence of the submission date. The following section describes the available methods for making submissions.

29 CFR Part 1910

Summary

OSHA is making two main revisions to its Mechanical Power Presses Standard. First, OSHA is revising a provision that requires employers to develop and maintain certification records of periodic inspections performed on the presses by adding a requirement that they develop and maintain certification records of any maintenance and repairs they perform on the presses during the periodic inspections. Second, OSHA is removing the requirement from another provision that employers develop and maintain certification records of weekly inspections and tests performed on the presses. This rulemaking is part of the Department of Labor's initiative to reduce paperwork burden; it will remove 613,600 hours of unnecessary paperwork burden for employers, while maintaining employee protection. OSHA is publishing a companion proposal elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register taking the same action.

This document contains corrections to the final regulations, which were published in the Federal Register of Thursday, June 13, 2013 (78 FR 35559). The regulations update OSHA's general industry and construction signage standards by adding references to the latest American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards on specifications for accident prevention signs and tags.

The direct final rule published on June 13, 2013 (78 FR 35559), became effective as a final rule on September 11, 2013. For the purposes of judicial review, OSHA considers November 6, 2013, the date of issuance of the final rule.

29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926

Summary

On June 13, 2013, OSHA published in the Federal Register (78 FR 35559) a direct final rule that revised its signage standards for general industry and construction by updating the references to national consensus standards approved by the American National Standards Institute, a clearinghouse that verifies that the criteria for approval of consensus standards have been met. OSHA stated in that Federal Register notice that it would withdraw the companion proposed rule and confirm the effective date of the direct final rule if the Agency received no significant adverse comments on the direct final rule. Since OSHA received no such significant adverse comments, the Agency now confirms that the direct final rule became effective as a final rule on September 11, 2013.

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

Comments must be submitted by the following dates: Hard copy: must be submitted (postmarked or sent) by April 8, 2015. Electronic transmission or facsimile: must be submitted by April 8, 2015.

29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915, 1917, 1918, and 1926

Summary

OSHA is reviewing its overall approach to managing chemical exposures in the workplace and seeks stakeholder input about more effective and efficient approaches that addresses challenges found with the current regulatory approach. This review involves considering issues related to updating permissible exposure limits (PELs), as well as examining other strategies that could be implemented to address workplace conditions where workers are exposed to chemicals. The notice details the role of past court decisions on the Agency's current approach to chemical management for the purpose of informing stakeholders of the legal framework in which the Agency must operate. It then describes possible modifications of existing processes, along with potential new sources of data and alternative approaches the Agency may consider. The Agency is particularly interested in information about how it may take advantage of newer approaches, given its legal requirements. This RFI is concerned primarily with chemicals that cause adverse health effects from long-term occupational exposure, and is not related to activities being conducted under Executive Order 13650, Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security.

On April 11, 2014 (79 FR 20316), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published a final rule: Revising the general industry standards for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution work and for electrical protective equipment; revising the construction standard for electric power transmission and distribution work; and adopting a new construction standard for electrical protective equipment. The final rule updated those standards and made the general industry and construction standards consistent. This document corrects errors in the preamble and regulatory text of the final rule.

Date and location for the stakeholder meeting are: July 30, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., in Washington, DC. If needed, a second session will be held July 31, 2014. The deadline to request registration for the meeting is July 2, 2014.

29 CFR Part 1910

Summary

OSHA invites interested parties to participate in an informal stakeholder meeting on emergency response and preparedness. OSHA plans to use the information obtained at the stakeholder meeting as it considers the development of a proposed standard for emergency response and preparedness.

2014-04-18; vol. 79 # 75 - Friday, April 18, 2014

79 FR 21848 - Record Requirements in the Mechanical Power Presses Standard

The direct final rule published on November 20, 2013 (78 FR 69543), became effective as a final rule on February 18, 2014. For the purposes of judicial review, OSHA considers April 18, 2014, the date of issuance of the final rule.

29 CFR Part 1910

Summary

On November 20, 2013, OSHA published in the Federal Register a direct final rule that revised records contained in the Mechanical Power Press Standard. OSHA stated in that document that it would withdraw the companion proposed rule and confirm the effective date of the final rule if the Agency received no significant adverse comments on the direct final rule or the proposal. Since OSHA received no such significant adverse comments on the direct final rule or the proposal, the Agency now confirms that the direct final rule became effective as a final rule on February 18, 2013.

79 FR 21876 - Record Requirements in the Mechanical Power Presses Standard

The final rule becomes effective on July 10, 2014. (Certain provisions have compliance deadlines after this date as explained later in this preamble.)

29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926

Summary

OSHA last issued rules for the construction of transmission and distribution installations in 1972. Those provisions are now out of date and inconsistent with the more recently promulgated general industry standard covering the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment. OSHA is revising the construction standard to make it more consistent with the general industry standard and is making some revisions to both the construction and general industry requirements. The final rules for general industry and construction include new or revised provisions on host employers and contractors, training, job briefings, fall protection, insulation and working position of employees working on or near live parts, minimum approach distances, protection from electric arcs, deenergizing transmission and distribution lines and equipment, protective grounding, operating mechanical equipment near overhead power lines, and working in manholes and vaults. The revised standards will ensure that employers, when appropriate, must meet consistent requirements for work performed under the construction and general industry standards. The final rule also revises the general industry and construction standards for electrical protective equipment. The existing construction standard for the design of electrical protective equipment, which applies only to electric power transmission and distribution work, adopts several national consensus standards by reference. The new standard for electrical protective equipment, which matches the corresponding general industry standard, applies to all construction work and replaces the incorporation of out-of-date consensus standards with a set of performance-oriented requirements that is consistent with the latest revisions of the relevant consensus standards. The final construction rule also includes new requirements for the safe use and care of electrical protective equipment to complement the equipment design provisions. Both the general industry and construction standards for electrical protective equipment will include new requirements for equipment made of materials other than rubber. OSHA is also revising the general industry standard for foot protection. This standard applies to employers performing work on electric power generation, transmission, and distribution installations, as well as employers in other industries. The final rule removes the requirement for employees to wear protective footwear as protection against electric shock.

The comment due date for the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2013 (78 FR 73756) is extended. Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by March 31, 2014.

29 CFR Part 1910

Summary

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is extending the deadline for submitting comments on the Request for Information on Process Safety Management and Prevention of Major Chemical Accidents.

The comment period for the proposed rule published September 12, 2013 (78 FR 56274), extended on October 31, 2013 (78 FR 65242), is further extended. Comments and written testimony on the NPRM must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by Tuesday, February 11, 2014.

29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915, and 1926

Summary

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is extending the deadline for submitting comments and written testimony on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica.

Submit comments and additional material on this Request for Information March 10, 2014. All submissions must bear a postmark or provide other evidence of the submission date. The following section describes the available methods for making submissions.

29 CFR Part 1910

Summary

In response to Executive Order 13650, OSHA requests comment on potential revisions to its Process Safety Management (PSM) standard and its Explosives and Blasting Agents standard, potential updates to its Flammable Liquids standard and Spray Finishing standard, and potential changes to PSM enforcement policies. In this Request for Information (RFI), the Agency asks for information and data on specific rulemaking and policy options, and the workplace hazards they address. OSHA will use the information received in response to this RFI to determine what action, if any, it may take.

2013-11-20; vol. 78 # 224 - Wednesday, November 20, 2013

78 FR 69543 - Record Requirements in the Mechanical Power Presses Standard

This direct final rule will become effective on February 18, 2014 unless OSHA receives a significant adverse comment on this direct final rule or on the companion proposal by December 20, 2013. If OSHA receives adverse comment, it will publish a timely withdrawal of the direct final rule in the Federal Register . Submit comments on this direct final rule (including comments to the information-collection (paperwork) determination (described under the section titled “Procedural Determinations”), hearing requests, and other information by December 20, 2013. All submissions must bear a postmark or provide other evidence of the submission date. The following section describes the available methods for making submissions.

29 CFR Part 1910

Summary

OSHA is making two main revisions to its Mechanical Power Presses Standard. First, OSHA is revising a provision that requires employers to develop and maintain certification records of periodic inspections performed on the presses by adding a requirement that they develop and maintain certification records of any maintenance and repairs they perform on the presses during the periodic inspections. Second, OSHA is removing the requirement from another provision that employers develop and maintain certification records of weekly inspections and tests performed on the presses. This rulemaking is part of the Department of Labor's initiative to reduce paperwork burden; it will remove 613,600 hours of unnecessary paperwork burden for employers, while maintaining employee protection. OSHA is publishing a companion proposal elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register taking the same action.

78 FR 69606 - Record Requirements in the Mechanical Power Presses Standard

Submit comments on this proposed rule (including comments to the information-collection (paperwork) determination (described under the section titled “Procedural Determinations”), hearing requests, and other information by December 20, 2013. All submissions must bear a postmark or provide other evidence of the submission date. The following section describes the available methods for making submissions.

29 CFR Part 1910

Summary

OSHA is proposing to make two main revisions to its Mechanical Power Presses Standard. First, OSHA is proposing to revise a provision that requires employers to develop and maintain certification records of periodic inspections performed on the presses by adding a requirement that they develop and maintain certification records of any maintenance and repairs they perform on the presses during the periodic inspections. Second, OSHA is proposing to remove the requirement from another provision that employers develop and maintain certification records of weekly inspections and tests performed on the presses. This rulemaking is part of the Department of Labor's initiative to reduce paperwork burden; it will remove 613,600 hours of unnecessary paperwork burden for employers, while maintaining employee protection. OSHA is publishing a companion direct final rule elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register taking this same action.

This document contains corrections to the final regulations, which were published in the Federal Register of Thursday, June 13, 2013 (78 FR 35559). The regulations update OSHA's general industry and construction signage standards by adding references to the latest American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards on specifications for accident prevention signs and tags.

The direct final rule published on June 13, 2013 (78 FR 35559), became effective as a final rule on September 11, 2013. For the purposes of judicial review, OSHA considers November 6, 2013, the date of issuance of the final rule.

29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926

Summary

On June 13, 2013, OSHA published in the Federal Register (78 FR 35559) a direct final rule that revised its signage standards for general industry and construction by updating the references to national consensus standards approved by the American National Standards Institute, a clearinghouse that verifies that the criteria for approval of consensus standards have been met. OSHA stated in that Federal Register notice that it would withdraw the companion proposed rule and confirm the effective date of the direct final rule if the Agency received no significant adverse comments on the direct final rule. Since OSHA received no such significant adverse comments, the Agency now confirms that the direct final rule became effective as a final rule on September 11, 2013.

Proposed rule; extension of comment period; extension of deadline for submitting notices of intention to appear at public hearings; scheduling of public hearings.

Written comments. Written comments on the NPRM must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by Monday, January 27, 2014. Informal public hearings. The Agency plans to hold informal public hearings beginning on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington, DC. OSHA expects the hearings to last from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., local time; a schedule will be released prior to the start of the hearings. The exact daily schedule may be amended at the discretion of the presiding administrative law judge (ALJ). If necessary, the hearings will continue at the same time on subsequent days. Peer reviewers of OSHA's Health Effects Literature Review and Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment will be present in Washington, DC to hear testimony on the second day of the hearing, March 19, 2014; see Section XV of the NPRM preamble for more information on the peer review process (78 FR 56274, 56440-56442; September 12, 2013). Notice of intention to appear at the hearings. Interested persons who intend to present testimony or question witnesses at the hearings must submit (transmit, send, postmark, deliver) a notice of their intention to do so by December 12, 2013. The notice of intent must indicate if the submitter requests to present testimony on March 19, 2014, in the presence of the peer reviewers. Hearing testimony and documentary evidence. Interested persons who request more than 10 minutes to present testimony, or who intend to submit documentary evidence, at the hearings must submit (transmit, send, postmark, deliver) the full text of their testimony and all documentary evidence by January 27, 2014. See Section XV of the NPRM preamble for details on the format and how to file a notice of intention to appear, submit documentary evidence at the hearing, and request an appropriate amount of time to present testimony (78 FR 56274, 56440-56442; September 12, 2013).

29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915, and 1926

Summary

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is extending the deadline for submitting comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica for an additional 47 days and extending the deadline for submitting notices of intention to appear at its informal public hearings for an additional 30 days. OSHA also is delaying the start of the public hearings by two weeks.

Written comments. Written comments, including comments on the information collection determination described in Section IX of the preamble (OMB Review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995), must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by December 11, 2013. Informal public hearings. The Agency plans to hold informal public hearings beginning on March 4, 2014, in Washington, DC. OSHA expects the hearings to last from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., local time; a schedule will be released prior to the start of the hearings. The exact daily schedule may be amended at the discretion of the presiding administrative law judge (ALJ). If necessary, the hearings will continue at the same time on subsequent days. Peer reviewers of OSHA's Health Effects Literature Review and Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment will be present in Washington, DC to hear testimony on the second day of the hearing, March 5, 2014; see Section XV for more information on the peer review process. Notice of intention to appear at the hearings. Interested persons who intend to present testimony or question witnesses at the hearings must submit (transmit, send, postmark, deliver) a notice of their intention to do so by November 12, 2013. The notice of intent must indicate if the submitter requests to present testimony in the presence of the peer reviewers. Hearing testimony and documentary evidence. Interested persons who request more than 10 minutes to present testimony, or who intend to submit documentary evidence, at the hearings must submit (transmit, send, postmark, deliver) the full text of their testimony and all documentary evidence by December 11, 2013. See Section XV below for details on the format and how to file a notice of intention to appear, submit documentary evidence at the hearing, and request an appropriate amount of time to present testimony.

29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915, and 1926

Summary

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposes to amend its existing standards for occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The basis for issuance of this proposal is a preliminary determination by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health that employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica face a significant risk to their health at the current permissible exposure limits and that promulgating these proposed standards will substantially reduce that risk. This document proposes a new permissible exposure limit, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average, of 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air (50 μg/m 3 ). OSHA also proposes other ancillary provisions for employee protection such as preferred methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, hazard communication, and recordkeeping. OSHA is proposing two separate regulatory texts—one for general industry and maritime, and the other for construction—in order to tailor requirements to the circumstances found in these sectors.